Addis Ababa, July 31, 2025 (FMC) — A new global report released on the sidelines of the UN Food Systems Summit +4 has underscored the critical importance of investing in cattle health to achieve sustainable food systems, reduce emissions, and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Jointly published by HealthforAnimals and the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB), the report—Healthy Herds for Sustainable Production—presents compelling evidence that improving livestock health is a high-impact, yet underutilized strategy to deliver a ‘triple win’ for climate action, food systems transformation, and economic development.
The report arrives at a crucial juncture, as nations prepare to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ahead of the COP30 climate conference in Brazil and push toward meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Healthier cattle deliver a triple win,” said Carel du Marchie Sarvaas, Executive Director of HealthforAnimals. “When animals are vaccinated and protected against disease, herds ultimately emit less, earn more for producers, and strengthen the food supply. This report shows how governments and the value chain can unlock that potential.”
Despite its demonstrated benefits, livestock health remains significantly underfunded in global climate financing—receiving only 0.01–0.02% of total investments, according to the report. It cites endorsements from global institutions such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the World Bank, all of which advocate for integrating animal health into sustainable agriculture and emissions reduction efforts.
The report outlines five guiding principles that promote sustainable beef production by improving animal health across all systems—whether smallholder farms or industrial-scale operations. Case studies featured in the report include:
- Brazil, where reproductive health tools reduced cattle emissions by 37.8% and land use by 37.3%;
- East Africa, where vaccination against East Coast Fever improved productivity by 27% and reduced emissions intensity by up to 40%;
- Europe, where efforts to eradicate Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) yielded a 5:1 return on investment for beef producers.
“These findings provide clear evidence for how better livestock health can help meet emissions targets, improve efficiency, and support the communities that depend on cattle,” said Ruaraidh Petre, Executive Director of GRSB.
The full report is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Complementary policy tools released earlier this month include How to Advance NDCs and Climate Strategies through Animal Health – A Step-by-Step Guide and Financing for Animal Health – A Gap in the Sustainability Agenda.
As global stakeholders reconvene in Addis Ababa to assess progress since the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, the new report adds momentum to efforts to integrate science-driven, practical solutions into climate and food system policies—particularly those that benefit both smallholder and large-scale livestock producers.